From Dublin to Raleigh: Fontaines D.C. Deliver a Hypnotic Sold-Out Show at The Ritz

Emma Zoe Polyak
3 minutes ago
3 min read

Fontaines D.C. | by Emma Zoe Polyak for Zany Waves

The Ritz was buzzing long before Fontaines D.C. took the stage, packed wall-to-wall with fans – some local and some, like myself, who’d driven hours just to catch Fontaines D.C. live. The Irish post-punk band have had a phenomenal past year, with the release of their fourth studio album, Romance, last August propelling them to new heights. While Romance was a critic favorite, many of the people I met at the show had been fans of Fontaines D.C. much longer, wearing shirts from their previous North American tour and listing off songs from the band’s first album that they wanted to hear live.

However, newer fans felt at home as well, many having seen the band when they came to the States last fall. The range of Fontaines D.C.’s following is truly a testament to the band, as they blend gritty post-punk anthems with more subdued tunes that lean into alt-rock, shoegaze, and jangle-pop (trying to define their music by either, however, remains futile). Romance, in particular, feels like a natural evolution for the band, never failing to transcend into something fresh and exciting.

Instead of opening with any one of their high-energy songs, the band started the night with “Romance,” an arguably perfect choice. The track teeters between ominous melodies and feelings of possibility, adding to the crowd’s heightened anticipation. Singer Grian Chatten was the last to enter the stage, wearing a long black coat and sunglasses, both of which he quickly discarded as the night went on.

Throughout the set, darker, brooding songs like “Romance” and “Big Shot” were balanced out with fast-paced bangers like “Jackie Down the Line,” and “Big.” During “Televised Mind,” the entire crowd rippled back and forth, shaking their heads to the propulsive beat. “Nabokov” in particular was a personal favorite, as Chatten’s vocals took on a new intensity.

Chatten has never been one for much onstage banter, but what he didn’t say in words he made up for with non-stop energy, bounding across the stage and standing on speakers. There was barely a moment when he stood still, apart from when he picked up a guitar on certain songs like “Sundowner,” “Favourite,” and their recently released “It’s Amazing To Be Young” from the deluxe version of Romance. At other times, he picked up a tambourine, and the crowd seemed to mirror his frenzied jumps and shakes.

The stage was minimalistic as well, with nothing but the band’s logo hanging in the back and a Palestinian flag draped on a keyboard at the front of the stage. Chatten was joined by Conor Curley, Conor Deegan III, Tom Coll and Carlos O’Connell (plus their sixth band member when playing live, Chilli Jesson), and each member brought their own intensity and unique flair to the show. Deegan was an anchor to Chatten’s frenzied movement, providing some of my favorite bass lines and haunting vocals on songs like “Nabokov” and “In the Modern World.” O’Connell and Curley delivered roaring guitars, with Curley picking up the vocals on “Sundowner.”

The entire set was electric, with the tightly packed crowd singing words to most, if not all of the songs, arms outstretched in fist-pumps and cheers. It was the fan-favorite “Boys in the Better Land” that really put the venue floors to the test, as the crowd ignited in movement. “Favourite” closed out the main portion of the set, but there was no doubt that the band were coming back for an encore – playing four songs, including Chatten’s love letter to Ireland, “I Love You,” and the addictive “Starburster.”

Much of what makes Fontaines D.C.’s show so euphoric is their raw energy. Their songs balance introspection and social commentary, never afraid to delve into new territory or embrace past sounds. A class act that will undoubtedly continue to impress fans across the world.

See their upcoming tour dates here, and check out the full gallery from their show at The Ritz, Raleigh, below.